FTM's and Transitioning

[Jet]

Hi everyone,

Just checking in. I've posted in respective threads that I am recovering from severe PTSD and pretty much ridding myself of the side effects of severe trauma that I had surpressed for almost 17 years. That's a long time, and there have many times I thought it was over. But because it had been buries for so long, it has taken much longer and required much more than I thought. With each day that I feel better, I draw closer to feeling balanced.

I started therapy for transitioning some time ago and delayed it because of having to deal with this issue. I do plan on resuming therapy and beginning T as soon as possible this year and that's exciting to me.

Today I've had a nice reprieve from the intensity of PTSD and I was thinking about the changes in me on T. I can't wait! So I wanted to come in and touch base for a few minutes.

I've spoken with an FTM friend of mind in St. Louis who is fully transitioned including bottom surgery. I was thinking about facial hair and changes in my structure.

I don't require top surgery, having little breast tissue; I've always had a guy's chest and that's a relief to me. I do know that although I'll have a beard, I'll keep clean shaven.

Anyway, take care.

[CamBAMF]

How long have you been on T? I started October 2009

How much T do you take on a bi weekly or monthly basis? 5ml weekly inject of T (testosterone 200mg/ml & sesame seed oil 10ml)

How does your body react to your shot intake? First month I was horny as hell and had (and still have) an issue with pimples on my back and face. in Two months my period stopped and lost some weight. from the third month my voiced started to change (or so Im told- I couldn't exactly hear it my self) forth and fifth month I noticed a change in my muscles without changing my diet or working out at all. My shouldars had become broader, and somehow I was able to do a pull up (which Ive never been able to do in my life). about the fifth month the hair on my chest became darker and more noticable. About the sixth I started getting facial hair... As of right now I'm in my eighth month and have a semi beard it takes about a week to really grow in after I shave. My voice doesnt crack anymore (Thank god). and I'm starting to gain the weight I lost back- not cool!

Are you pre or post op top and or bottom? I'm pre op. I'm definatly planning to have my top done. I'm not so sure about the bottom.

Where and Who did your surgeries? no one

If you have questions, ask them here. I have some questions about surgery. Like about how much is it on average for either bottom or top? Is bottom surgery even worth it? I mean I heard the best results are about 3 inches with limited feeling. I'm not down for that. any thoughts?

[slverwlf]

Hi,

My entire life has been and will continue to be a transition. It just is. However I started talking to a therapist about transition in January 2005. I changed my name, and started T in May of that year.
I am currently on 100mgs a week, and I don't have too much change at this point. I just see it as maintenance. I do like results when working out, which I don't do often often.
I had chest surgery in JUly of 2006, I went to a surgeon by the name of Dr. Balderrama in Lake Havasu, AZ. I was lucky that it was covered by my insurance, and that is who myself and the insurance company decided would be best. Most of the "known" surgeons would not touch insurance with a ten foot pole. Hopefully that is beginning to change some. I had my hysterectomy in December of 2007. I went to Serbia last summer for a Meta with Dr. Miro. So, I am about as done surgically as I want to be at this point. If I ever lose 70lbs, I will get revisions I am considering, but no point right now.
I run two support groups in the Tampa area, and will be graduating in December with a degree in Mental Health Counseling. I want to be a gender therapist.
If anyone ever has any questions, do not hesitate to send them in my direction. I'm an open book.

[Sam]

Ok i have a top surgeon out of Sandy Springs Ga, i have my consult with him on sept 15th, hopefully get my date for surgery before i leave the office.

this is all finally coming together nicely

[raising2alone]

Would have loved to have had this thread 10 years ago or more. If I can help, I will give my information. As someone else pointed out, the process, while similar, will be different for everyone but perhaps just the support helps.

Where are you in your transition? I am finished with all I will do in my transition. Started 11 years ago. Had my name legally changed immediately prior to starting T.

How long have you been on T? 10 years.

How much T do you take on a bi weekly or monthly basis? I am not taking any at the moment and doing fine.

How does your body react to your shot intake? I really didn't have any reaction.

Are you pre or post op top and or bottom? Top surgery is done, had complete vaginal hysterectomy, no scars there thank goodness. Won't have lower surgery at my age, mostly because of the cost and phaloplasty is just not proven to me to be a good alternative. After my surgery had my gender immediately changed on my birth certificate and drivers license.

Where and Who did your surgeries? My surgery was done by a great plastics guy in Kansas City. He is not on any list and not sure he even does any others. If you live in the area, I can find out for you if he does. He doesn't want his name out there in forums.

I used to do diversity training and was a pretty big advocate in the community on trans issues. I still get called to do some but since I have kids now I am semi retired . I would be happy to share information if it will help anyone.

[Jaques]

Originally Posted by Sam

Where are you in your transition?
How long have you been on T?
How much T do you take on a bi weekly or monthly basis?
How does your body react to your shot intake?
Are you pre or post op top and or bottom?

Where and Who did your surgeries? Help others out. If you have questions, ask them here.

Please no labeling here. Anyone can conversate, but please keep the topic and Questions.

This is not a debating thread. Thanks

Im 4 yrs on T (Nebido, which shot i have every l0 wks)and dont notice any affect on my body save the changes with voice, facial /bodyhair, thinner hair on my head, thicker muscles, all the usual stuff - my bp is hi but i think it was anyway
Im post op done privately in london

[Dexter_1976]

Gday everyone,

Where are you in your transition? i began that for long time back possible 95 or 96 and didnt have time to see dr, so finally see dr 2006 after i met a friend of mine who is MTF i ask her where is FTM/MTF dr she gave me the addy because it private and done a long process for a year

How long have you been on T? since November 2007 (2 years and 5 months), omg i will never forget huge embarrassment first time after first shot oh god dont tell me lol

How much T do you take on a bi weekly or monthly basis? 250mg Enanthate every fortnite (every onces 14 days)

How does your body react to your shot intake? on depends if im relax had no problem, when im not relax sometimes it hurt on my leg feeling like sting from bees after i injection than next day it fine though make sure careful not to bumped it it freaken hurt when u bumped it, i am very happy as who i am now, as far i love myself too much some days but some days i feeling like grrrrr, it great experience as i feel it rewarding each day

Are you pre or post op top and or bottom? at the moment i am still trying to save $$$ to get top done i have not thought about bottom maybe future or will not.

Yes someone has mention about hairy body, deepen voice, yes it does i also have little hairy on my body and bit deep voice as well, my hair started thicken just like my dad (that doesnt worry me) i dont feel trap in me anymore it was like let it go and freedom i am more and more happier as who i am now, but one thing i feel sad or heart broken that some people who are not accept as who i am but i have few wonderful support from my friend that who understand what i was going though (before i was FTM) they were very interesting asking me alot questions about being FTM and what my experience etc, always listen my dr and every 6 month get blood test for the T level make sure everything is ok.

What i hate: when is it summer i get sweat easy from humidity, middle in the night i can get easy horny from dreaming.

Im going to change my name soon when i get enough $$$, but dont forget in aussie is very expensive at the moment all i can do is my best to get it done.

[Sam]

Great stuff going on around here. i wish i had more time to spend with ya'll.

My surgery looks like it will be dec 15th. so im looking forward to it. i needed off season to heal well.

Im taking my own steps for healthier living. i am now at 165lbs, actually running the treadmill and blading every other day.

hard part is quitting smoking, but i will try cold turkey sept 1st. gives me enough time before surgery to get my blood flowing lol.

[FtMGuy]

Where are you in your transition? Post transition feel like I am finished with all of it just on HRT now
How long have you been on T? 14 years
How much T do you take on a bi weekly or monthly basis? I am currently on NIBIDO I think its 4ML every 12 weeks but will change to something else when I go to the USA
How does your body react to your shot intake? no bad side effects
Are you pre or post op top and or bottom?I am post op top surgery hysto & Forearm phalloplasty
]Where and Who did your surgeries? Hysto was done for medical reasons in 97, top surgery was done in 2002 by Dr Perry Johnson in Omaha NE, I had a centurion done by DR Peter Raphael in Plano texas in 2004, then forearm phalloplasty done by Mister Nim Christopher from the London team took 18 months due to my work schedule and was finished in june2010
I am willing to post pictures of my surgery's if that is appropriate for this forum or answer any questions
Mike

[Linus]

Originally Posted by FtMGuyLondon

Where are you in your transition? Post transition feel like I am finished with all of it just on HRT now
How long have you been on T? 14 years
How much T do you take on a bi weekly or monthly basis? I am currently on NIBIDO I think its 4ML every 12 weeks but will change to something else when I go to the USA
How does your body react to your shot intake? no bad side effects
Are you pre or post op top and or bottom?I am post op top surgery hysto & Forearm phalloplasty
]Where and Who did your surgeries? Hysto was done for medical reasons in 97, top surgery was done in 2002 by Dr Perry Johnson in Omaha NE, I had a centurion done by DR Peter Raphael in Plano texas in 2004, then forearm phalloplasty done by Mister Nim Christopher from the London team took 18 months due to my work schedule and was finished in june2010
I am willing to post pictures of my surgery's if that is appropriate for this forum or answer any questions
Mike

Just as an FYI, various nekkid body posting is not allowed due to our web server provider. If people want to see them they should PM you directly for access outside of the site.

[FtMGuy]

Originally Posted by Linus

Just as an FYI, various nekkid body posting is not allowed due to our web server provider. If people want to see them they should PM you directly for access outside of the site.

Ahhh I thought perhaps that was it! glad I asked first before offending the serve with pictures of my cock!
Thanks for the heads up!!

[Logicaly]

Went down to the courthouse today and filled all my paperwork for my name change. Was nervous as all get out for some reason, worried that I would have made a mistake on my paperwork or something, but as usual, the worry was for nothing! Papers are filed and my court date is set for the 24th of April.

I actually talked to my father about my name, before I changed it. I wanted to know what he thought, even though I know what my name is and what name feels right. I found out though, that my middle name, which is currently Jean, was only because my mother pitched a fit because my father wanted it to be Eugene which was my grandfathers name. So I am very happy about that because I wanted to make my grandfathers name my middle name anyways, and finding out that is what it should have been all along just confirms for me how right this all is.

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by Logicaly

Went down to the courthouse today and filled all my paperwork for my name change. Was nervous as all get out for some reason, worried that I would have made a mistake on my paperwork or something, but as usual, the worry was for nothing! Papers are filed and my court date is set for the 24th of April.

I actually talked to my father about my name, before I changed it. I wanted to know what he thought, even though I know what my name is and what name feels right. I found out though, that my middle name, which is currently Jean, was only because my mother pitched a fit because my father wanted it to be Eugene which was my grandfathers name. So I am very happy about that because I wanted to make my grandfathers name my middle name anyways, and finding out that is what it should have been all along just confirms for me how right this all is.

I'm about to start the process myself ... you got me thinking .. I have a name picked out but there is a tradition that the males on my dad's side that their middle name is edward. I really want Koop as my main name cause everyone already knows it and lyndon as my middle name because it's close to my given name and my parents now call me lyn. I'm thinking maybe i'll hyphen my middle name and make it lyndon-edward. Does that sound too weird?

On another note I hope I represented us well yesterday. Someone doing a project for school on the transcommunity interviewed me. I think she asked 1 question and then i just started talking and covered all her questions and stuff she hadn't thought of.

[DapperButch]

Hi, folks. I wasn't sure where else to put this, and I didn't think my transition warranted a new thread.

I wanted to share with my trans brothers that I am now socially transitioning and for all intents and purposes I will be "male" in our society.

I will share a bit of my journey with you all, in case some of you are interested.

I have identified as a transgender butch for quite a number of years (prior to this I identified as a female butch. I have never identified as a woman). Since I never felt "male" and didn't want some of the secondary sexual characteristics that came with testosterone, plus, the distress and difficulty it was cause in my professional life) I never transitioned. I have, however, struggled with social dysphoria for many years (discomfort with the public interacting with me as if I was female).

Over time, the secondary sexual characteristics have become something I have wanted and the social dysphoria has become so crippling, I decided to start taking testosterone and socially transition.

A huge turning point for me was realizing that I did not have to identify as "male" in order to take testosterone in order to get rid of both the physical and the social dysphoria. That is the key for me. I love this quote that I saw on another site. I don't even know the author, I just saw it in a post (I have it in my profile):

"I've come to the conclusion that transitioning isn't about "gender transition" anyway, it's about transitioning from someone with dysphoria to someone without dysphoria - and that may or may not involve crossing any perceived "gender boundaries".

My personal identity remains a TG Butch and a trans guy. How we are viewed in society is not always who we are. Non-binary FTM may also be a fit.

I am coming out at work early next week and will have my name change in the paper by the end of the week. My state requires that I announce my name change in the newspaper for 3 weeks in a row before I can go to court to legally change it. The process will take about 5-6 weeks. The legal name change itself isn't important to me, the issue is that being a healthcare professional, I sign my legal name many times a day in patient charts, so it will be hard for people to get used to my preferred name when they are reading my birth name over and over again.

I will go ahead and answer the OP's questions:

1)Where are you in your transition?

The definition of "transition" is different for everybody, so I can't answer this question.

2) How long have you been on T?

I started on low dose 9/9/14. I did low dose because I wanted to make sure that this was the right decision for me. Honestly, the indecision was getting to me so badly (I have been going back and forth for years), that I couldn't take "not knowing" anymore if T was right for my me. I needed to know if I was truly missing that chemical in my brain for my emotional health (not just physical changes).

I then decided it was right for me, so I increased my dose. Problem was my job shifted at work and I went into another department. I hadn't come out yet and thought I should go "in" as who I had been at my company for 9 years (female, albeit a very masculine one). I had to drop my dose as my voice was dropping. I lowered the dose dramatically for 4 weeks, so that my voice went back up. Needless to say, over the last 6 months my emotions have been all over the place. I have now come out to HR, and things are in motion. So, today was my third shot at my regular dose (maybe, I am still in the process of determining the right dose based on T levels).

3) How much T do you take on a bi weekly or monthly basis?


As of 3 weeks ago, I am taking .30ml (75mg), weekly, subcutaneous injections.

4) How does your body react to your shot intake?

Honestly, it is a crap shoot the first day as my body adjusts to this hormone. I can become agitated or emotional. It is something I try to pay attention to, but it is even hard for me to realize I am being that way.

5)Are you pre or post op top and or bottom?

Top Surgery - 10/10/13
Bottom Surgery - yet to be determined, if at all. I might get a metiodioplasty, I am not sure about urethra hook up, or not (there are so many complications, that one should expect to happen, sometimes requiring revision). I would go to Dr. Crane, who is going to have a new office in Austin, TX as of 10/2015. You have to be on testosterone for 2 years prior to meta. I am hoping that by then my employer will cover the surgery. Otherwise, it may never be an option for me. A meta with Crane run 20K-30K, based on what you get done. I don't have an interest in phalloplasty.

6) Where and Who did your surgeries?

Dr. Charles Garramone, Fort Lauderdale, FL.

I am hesitant to post this as it feels so exposing to me, but if my hearing my journey will help someone who is questioning if they should take testosterone and socially transition will make a difference, then it is worth it (and I truly mean that. I love and feel a huge bond to my butch sisters and brothers). I would have loved to have read how any masculine identified person decided to take testosterone and socially transition to male (regardless of their identity) when I was contemplating it.

[Logicaly]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Hi, folks. I wasn't sure where else to put this, and I didn't think my transition warranted a new thread.

I wanted to share with my trans brothers that I am now socially transitioning and for all intents and purposes I will be "male" in our society.

I will share a bit of my journey with you all, in case some of you are interested.

I have identified as a transgender butch for quite a number of years (prior to this I identified as a female butch. I have never identified as a woman). Since I never felt "male" and didn't want some of the secondary sexual characteristics that came with testosterone, plus, the distress and difficulty it was cause in my professional life) I never transitioned. I have, however, struggled with social dysphoria for many years (discomfort with the public interacting with me as if I was female).

Over time, the secondary sexual characteristics have become something I have wanted and the social dysphoria has become so crippling, I decided to start taking testosterone and socially transition.

A huge turning point for me was realizing that I did not have to identify as "male" in order to take testosterone in order to get rid of both the physical and the social dysphoria. That is the key for me. I love this quote that I saw on another site. I don't even know the author, I just saw it in a post (I have it in my profile):

"I've come to the conclusion that transitioning isn't about "gender transition" anyway, it's about transitioning from someone with dysphoria to someone without dysphoria - and that may or may not involve crossing any perceived "gender boundaries".

My personal identity remains a TG Butch and a trans guy. How we are viewed in society is not always who we are. Non-binary FTM may also be a fit.

I am coming out at work early next week and will have my name change in the paper by the end of the week. My state requires that I announce my name change in the newspaper for 3 weeks in a row before I can go to court to legally change it. The process will take about 5-6 weeks. The legal name change itself isn't important to me, the issue is that being a healthcare professional, I sign my legal name many times a day in patient charts, so it will be hard for people to get used to my preferred name when they are reading my birth name over and over again.

I will go ahead and answer the OP's questions:

1)Where are you in your transition?

The definition of "transition" is different for everybody, so I can't answer this question.

2) How long have you been on T?

I started on low dose 9/9/14. I did low dose because I wanted to make sure that this was the right decision for me. Honestly, the indecision was getting to me so badly (I have been going back and forth for years), that I couldn't take "not knowing" anymore if T was right for my me. I needed to know if I was truly missing that chemical in my brain for my emotional health (not just physical changes).

I then decided it was right for me, so I increased my dose. Problem was my job shifted at work and I went into another department. I hadn't come out yet and thought I should go "in" as who I had been at my company for 9 years (female, albeit a very masculine one). I had to drop my dose as my voice was dropping. I lowered the dose dramatically for 4 weeks, so that my voice went back up. Needless to say, over the last 6 months my emotions have been all over the place. I have now come out to HR, and things are in motion. So, today was my third shot at my regular dose (maybe, I am still in the process of determining the right dose based on T levels).

3) How much T do you take on a bi weekly or monthly basis?


As of 3 weeks ago, I am taking .30ml (75mg), weekly, subcutaneous injections.

4) How does your body react to your shot intake?

Honestly, it is a crap shoot the first day as my body adjusts to this hormone. I can become agitated or emotional. It is something I try to pay attention to, but it is even hard for me to realize I am being that way.

5)Are you pre or post op top and or bottom?

Top Surgery - 10/10/13
Bottom Surgery - yet to be determined, if at all. I might get a metiodioplasty, I am not sure about urethra hook up, or not (there are so many complications, that one should expect to happen, sometimes requiring revision). I would go to Dr. Crane, who is going to have a new office in Austin, TX as of 10/2015. You have to be on testosterone for 2 years prior to meta. I am hoping that by then my employer will cover the surgery. Otherwise, it may never be an option for me. A meta with Crane run 20K-30K, based on what you get done. I don't have an interest in phalloplasty.

6) Where and Who did your surgeries?

Dr. Charles Garramone, Fort Lauderdale, FL.

I am hesitant to post this as it feels so exposing to me, but if my hearing my journey will help someone who is questioning if they should take testosterone and socially transition will make a difference, then it is worth it (and I truly mean that. I love and feel a huge bond to my butch sisters and brothers). I would have loved to have read how any masculine identified person decided to take testosterone and socially transition to male (regardless of their identity) when I was contemplating it.

Thank you for sharing this with us! I always enjoy reading/hearing about someone elses journey in their transition. Dr. Crane is an excellent doctor and actually who I am hoping to go to here in San Francisco for my top surgery.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Logicaly

Thank you for sharing this with us! I always enjoy reading/hearing about someone elses journey in their transition. Dr. Crane is an excellent doctor and actually who I am hoping to go to here in San Francisco for my top surgery.

Thanks, man. I'd love to hear your story as well!

Depending on when you are getting it done, he may be in Austin full time. I know that is when he is opening his satellite practice down there in October and I believe plans to move there.

It seems as though Satterwhite is doing all of his top surgeries. I saw a guy on youtube who had Crane do one side while Satterwhite did the other when he was training him. They were identical. I think that was insane of the youtube guy to agree to that, but whatever.

Anyway, I think Crane is pretty much doing only lower surgery now, but i am sure if you requested him and he is still in San Fran you could get him to do it.

Do you live close enough that you could stay at home during recovery?

When do you think you will get it done? CA requires all insurance companies to cover trans health, but of course they do the bare minimum in order to meet the requirements of the law.

I was out of pocket with Garramone.

[Logicaly]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Thanks, man. I'd love to hear your story as well!

Depending on when you are getting it done, he may be in Austin full time. I know that is when he is opening his satellite practice down there in October and I believe plans to move there.

It seems as though Satterwhite is doing all of his top surgeries. I saw a guy on youtube who had Crane do one side while Satterwhite did the other when he was training him. They were identical. I think that was insane of the youtube guy to agree to that, but whatever.

Anyway, I think Crane is pretty much doing only lower surgery now, but i am sure if you requested him and he is still in San Fran you could get him to do it.

Do you live close enough that you could stay at home during recovery?

When do you think you will get it done? CA requires all insurance companies to cover trans health, but of course they do the bare minimum in order to meet the requirements of the law.

I was out of pocket with Garramone.

I am hoping to perhaps at the end of next year be ready to have my surgery. The only thing really holding me up is financials. My insurance doesn't cover it because it is out of network. I originally wanted Brownstein, but he obviously retired, and so I had my hopes on Crane, and well, it seems like I might miss out on that opportunity as well. I just want to make sure that I have the best results possible. I do live here in San Francisco, at least in a suburb of it, so it would be extremely close to home which is certainly a nice perk.

Do you happen to have the link for the surgery where they both did it handy? I have not seen any results from the other doctor, but I love that Crane doesn't use drains.

I have been on T for wow, maybe 6 years now. I will have to type up my story to share, its nothing amazing, but its been a great journey for me, and one that I have learned on and evolved through during the years.

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by Logicaly

Do you happen to have the link for the surgery where they both did it handy? I have not seen any results from the other doctor, but I love that Crane doesn't use drains.

Finally .... I have debated people for a long time about drains. I believe there are times they need to be used but not always ... so glad to see more drs coming around to this. If the dr. I had, had used drains it would have been absurd because I didn't have much fluid build up. So again nice to see this!

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Logicaly

I am hoping to perhaps at the end of next year be ready to have my surgery. The only thing really holding me up is financials. My insurance doesn't cover it because it is out of network. I originally wanted Brownstein, but he obviously retired, and so I had my hopes on Crane, and well, it seems like I might miss out on that opportunity as well. I just want to make sure that I have the best results possible. I do live here in San Francisco, at least in a suburb of it, so it would be extremely close to home which is certainly a nice perk.

Do you happen to have the link for the surgery where they both did it handy? I have not seen any results from the other doctor, but I love that Crane doesn't use drains.

I have been on T for wow, maybe 6 years now. I will have to type up my story to share, its nothing amazing, but its been a great journey for me, and one that I have learned on and evolved through during the years.

I understand the attraction to no drains. They didn't bother me though. I actually think I would feel creeped out at the idea of my body absorbing all that blood and stuff. But, that is just me.

Do you know why Crane isn't in network?

It would be great to hear your transition journey.

Here's the guy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpxjGytnlD8